Wynne's sexuality 'non-issue' during campaign:experts

TORONTO - Kathleen Wynne's sexual orientation wasn't on voters' minds during the election campaign that saw her crowned Ontario's first openly gay premier, a shift some observers and LGBT advocates attribute to the premier's own attitude as well as the public's.

What just a few years ago might have fuelled attack ads and whisper campaigns turned out to be a complete "non-issue" in the lead-up to Thursday's vote, said Graham White, a political science professor at the University of Toronto.

"It really is kind of a remarkable turnaround from 10-15 years ago," said White, who lives in Wynne's east-Toronto riding.

"I'd like to think the Ontario population is becoming more tolerant — certainly they're becoming more familiar with public figures, not just politicians, who are out," he said.

Maura Lawless, the executive director of the 519 Church Street Community Centre, which works with Toronto's LGBT community, said it signals people are more willing to weigh a candidate's contribution rather than just their sexual orientation or gender identity.

"It's a reflection of how progressive Ontario is in relation to accepting and knowing and understanding that LGBT people are part of our community and can be in significant leadership positions," she said.

Others said Wynne's decision not to make her sexuality a key part of her image also helped keep it out of the public discourse.

"It's never been the focal point of who she is," said Andrea Houston, a former reporter for Xtra!, part of the gay media organization Pink Triangle Press.

"It's definitely positioned her as a strong woman premier of Ontario as opposed to 'the gay leader' or 'the gay premier,' and that's an incredibly smart strategy," said Houston, who often speaks on gay rights.

That all three party leaders kept the mudslinging to a minimum likely elevated the public discussion, said Toronto city Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam, who in 2010 became the city's first openly lesbian councillor.

"I don't think we're in nirvana, but I am very pleased that in this election campaign that people were firm, disciplined but respectful in their dialogue," she said.

"The tone is set from the top."

But Wong-Tam said there's no guarantee things will play out the same way every time.

"There will be electoral campaigns where it will be divisive and when people will want to drag up issues around sexuality and sexual orientation of candidates," she said.

Wynne's victory should nonetheless be hailed as a milestone for a community still struggling with discrimination, gay rights advocates said.

While there has been some recognition of her achievement — including a Twitter shoutout from actor and gay-rights activist George Takei — some said the celebration has been disappointingly muted.

Ken Popert, who heads Pink Triangle Press, said it should be possible to highlight a significant turning point for the gay community without making Wynne's sexuality her defining characteristic.

He said many in the media show an "obvious reluctance" to mention that Wynne is a lesbian or acknowledge her breakthrough.

A CBC reporter who was providing analysis as the election results came in faced stern criticism online after he twice referred to Wynne's sexuality as a "lifestyle choice."

He apologized Friday on the network's morning radio show.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version said Wynne's riding was in west Toronto.

By Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press

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(10) Comment

By Bill|JUNE 18, 2014 08:17 AM

I STILL REMEMBER MY DAD SAYING ,WHEN YOU SEEN TWO ANIMALS OF THE SAME SEX TRYING TO GET IT ON ! HE WOULD SAY THOSE TWO ARE SO FU*KED UP WE SHOULD SHOOT THEM AND BURY THEM SO DEEP THAT KNOW ONE WILL KNOW !WHAT HAS HAPPEN TO OUR MORAL!BILL

As was said earlier there is a great void between the urban liberal support vote and the wiser rural vote. Most rural political barnyard annalists know you have to have one of each to have a successful economically viable barnyard. Her gate swings on one hinge... not a good business plan.

BRUCE ,CAN YOU REMEMBER WHEN THOSE TYPES OF PEOPLE STAYED IN THE CLOSET ,THEN ONE POPPED OUT NOW THEY ARE THE MAJORITY ! WHAT IS THIS COUNTRY COMING TOO ; A QUEER FOR A PREMEIR NEXT THEY WILL BE PRESIDENT OF U.S.A. OR CANADA ,TELLING ALL THE LITTLE KIDS IT IS FINE AND NORMAL TO HAVE TO PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX AS PARENTS !THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL NORMAL HAVE TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST THIS MOVEMENT OR LIKE ANDY SAY GET OUT !BILL

BRUCE ,I WOULD SURE BE CAREFULL WHAT GOES INTO THAT MOUTH ,SHE HAS SHARPER TEETH THAN A BEAVER !NOW GETTING TO THE POINT ,THE ONE SHE LIKES ,THIS BI WOMANDOES NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO SWING !FIRST PART OF HER LIFE SHE NEEDED A STICK TO PRODUCE KIDS ONCE THAT WAS DONE SHE SLID INTO LICKING AND SUCKING AND HAS NEVER STOPPED ! CAN YOU BELEIVE THE OLD TIME CHURCH PEOPLE VOTING FOR SOMEONE LIKE HER ,BOY THINGS HAVE SURE ROLLED ! BILL

I might be the most unpopular person posting but after a few days to absorb that we have to endure this for near 4 yrs another thought has developed. I would like our leaders to be role models for our community and society at large. If we are to be so tolerant of everyone's wish in society are we to become tolerant of cannibalism next? We are on a slippery slope that may have started with a lack of everyday manners in the beginning